Cochin Discussions

[indiaismycountry]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

The project is so ill-concvied, that it even fails to get approvals of more progressive and urban crowd than traditional environmentalists... Moreover, most of the buliders who have built up many impressive water front apartments on banks of Chilavanoor Lake, will never allow Yasoram to take off with this project, which will not just destroy the beauty of such lake, but also other issues.

Secondly GCDA along with RBCK is planning to develop Atlantis Flyover over with proper development of Bund Road, connecting Kundanoor with CBD. This exactly serve the utility of so called Skycity, as it provide alternative to SA Road and Jawahar Nagar.........

It seems like the govt establishment is hell bent on justifying the approval. I saw a debate on one of the regional channels put up in youtube about it in which a minister was justifying it. The trouble is that the so called environmentalists/buddhijeevis opposing it right now have such flimsy arguments against the project that it is laughable(one guy who came on the debate was talking about the security threat to the naval base due to this!!). I would have understood if it were done by a credible group with execution capabilities like a larsen and toubro but this is what I found on their site
http://www.yasoramskycity.com/html/yasoram_group.htm

It seems like a family run firm in which the promoter's big dreams are never questioned. I can't believe that such a project with such impact has been awarded to this group. I am sure that they will not even get a loan for this project unless there is pressure from the govt. May be the minister has some vested interest in the project. I can already see the project running into trouble half way after they have dug up the lake and erected pillars. Hope our govt has some sense and either stalls the project right now or awards it to a better developer.

[mohammedirshad06]

Leave those half baked idiotic environmentalists.... They represent a mafia to stall every project... Put some money into their mouth, they will keep their mouth shut..... We all saw the attitude of so called Neelakandan and his gang in Mullaperiyar case, which has to do with real environment and safety

But in this case, there is a clear issue of environment, which a layman can understand. Its impossible to construct few apartments in middle of a lake and then claim not environment issue..... Even a floating houseboat has environmental issue in vast expanse of Vembandu lake.... Then how come regular permanent bldgs donot posses no environment issues?

Simple issues like sewage, waste management, water supply, electricity etc can help one to think, how can this come up over a freshwater lake? Rather those idiot Neelakandan is more concerned about Naval safety. If Navy feels, its security is compromised, it has full powers to stop the project, which is not any kandan's concern.....

Anyway whether Govt supports or not, surely this project will not take off... Public is against, architects are against and Ministry of Environment will also be against. So I don't feel this project will not take off..........

[jamesvaikom]

Originally Posted by sree_ec

Manorama report says, different lobbies are trying to upset oil exploration activities in Kochi to gain more profit by importing oil from outside India and selling at a higher price

Oil exploration is risky business. Even private companies like Reliance, Cairn, Videocon etc. relinquished many oil and gas fields even after spending huge money for exploration. Huge amount of shale gas is discovered in states like West Bengal. Govt. should give priority to auction shale gas fields as early as possible. Shale gas exploration is risky. But we don't have any other choice.

[jamesvaikom]

We should stop imitating others and do what is good for us. Gulf countries are exploring more oil because they have huge reserves and they can extract oil economically. Kerala has huge thorium and titanium reserves. We should give importance to projects which help us to unlock value of our abundant natural resources. Construction of our fast breeder reactor is almost over.

[players]

Originally Posted by sachinrk

Friend.... I thank God for small mercies..If your United Development Front's original Smart City plan had come into effect , it would have been bye bye Cyber Park, Kozhikode.

You have no option but to thank God for SMALL MERCIES... because the LDF govt only managed to deliver the smallest of mercies to the people of Kochi!!! Like Thiru Kochi buses, on already congested bus routes


Why do all the leftists harp on Infopark being proposed to be handed over to the Smart City project about 8-10 years ago, whenever the performance of LDF govt is questioned???? That is the flimsiest argument when the abject performance of LDF govt is questioned..

Since there is nothing to showcase to defend the performance of the LDF govt, the leftists are trying to get away from accepting the blame by throwing mud on the other party

That is indirectly admitting that the performance of LDF govt on the developement front was pathetic...

Originally Posted by sachinrk

Metro Rail - If memory serves rightly , the Planning Commission refused to consider this earlier. Govt changed to UDF and suddenly Montek Sir grants his consent. Hallelujah..may miracles never cease...

If BJP govt in Karnataka can get approvals / funds for Bangalore Metro and Left govt in Bengal can get approvals / funds for Kolkota Metro; how come LDF govt in Kerala couldnt have done it???? Don't bring politicallly motivated excuses for pathetic performance of LDF on the development front...

And how come the LDF govt didnt start any preparatory works for Metro, and instead let hundreds of crores of JNNURM funds to lapse? Any politically motivated excuses for this as well???

[bijuarr]

Cross posting from Chennai thread

Originally Posted by karkal

Toys of the billionaire boys


Manoj Lulla with his mean machine.

What happens when two supercar enthusiasts get together?

The launch of a very exciting car club that focuses not only on car shows, but also offers integral services and other activities to supercar owners!

Manoj Lulla, Chairman of the Madras Exotic Car Club explains, “I have owned supercars for the last seven years. Initially, there were very few owners in the South. Today, there are a lot more and we can provide them with a host of services. The South has always had a fascination for cars, especially Coimbatore and Kochi. Later, we plan to spread to other cities in the South as well.”

About the membership fees Manoj says, “We plan to tie up with leading automobile brands to offer special experiences at this elite club. Initially, we will not charge the members a fee, but once we feel that they see the value of being with our club then we will accept membership fees, that too on invitation only. We plan to host three to four events every year to begin with and then increase the number in the coming years.”

Bal Singh George, who will also sponsor the venture, sounds extremely thrilled about it. He owns a Rolls Royce Ghost, the first to be delivered in the whole of the Asia Pacific region. He also has a Mercedes SL 600, still the only one of its kind in India and a Ferrari 458 Italia parked in his villa.

The supercar enthusiast says, “We are planning to have a drag race on April 1. The highlight will be Manoj’s Lamborghini racing with my Ferrari. I’m sure the younger lot who are enthusiastic and passionate about swanky cars will find this an interesting initiative. Not to mention the other car lovers who can afford these beauties.”

The club will be launched on March 31 at Taj Coromandel with seating arrangement for 600 people along with food and beverages. The track day is on April 1, which is when Chennai will witness the likes of Bentleys, Porsches, Ferraris and Lamborghinis zooming down the roads.

[bijugp]

Originally Posted by players

You have no option but to thank God for SMALL MERCIES... because the LDF govt only managed to deliver the smallest of mercies to the people of Kochi!!! Like Thiru Kochi buses, on already congested bus routes


Why do all the leftists harp on Infopark being proposed to be handed over to the Smart City project about 8-10 years ago, whenever the performance of LDF govt is questioned???? That is the flimsiest argument when the abject performance of LDF govt is questioned..

Since there is nothing to showcase to defend the performance of the LDF govt, the leftists are trying to get away from accepting the blame by throwing mud on the other party

That is indirectly admitting that the performance of LDF govt on the developement front was pathetic...



If BJP govt in Karnataka can get approvals / funds for Bangalore Metro and Left govt in Bengal can get approvals / funds for Kolkota Metro; how come LDF govt in Kerala couldnt have done it???? Don't bring politicallly motivated excuses for pathetic performance of LDF on the development front...

And how come the LDF govt didnt start any preparatory works for Metro, and instead let hundreds of crores of JNNURM funds to lapse? Any politically motivated excuses for this as well???

You seem to read well and have good general knowledge!!
Please check when did the preparatory works for Kochi Metro started.. Then come and write here..
In Karnataka there is no Oochu to go to Delhi and block development of state. Also, Leftists in Bengal will not do anything against the state. So, their metro will get approved!!
Leftists are not bringing up Infopark issue when someone question about LDF performance. It is being brought up when Smart City issue is being talked about.
Also, you may be traveling in ferrari to not to understand the benefits of introducing Thiru-kochi buses. Poor people like us benefitted a lot. UDF will not support Thiru-kochi because kalamassery kunju has an interest in the "red killers" of Kochi.

[Malayaali]

Consumer-friendly infrastructure lacking

The business community in the city has high hopes from the Corporation budget 2012-13. From a road repairing unit to multi-level parking facilities, the business community has suggested innovative ways to combat the city’s core problems.
“The city lacks a consumer-friendly infrastructure. We have raised this issue with the Corporation and expect the budget to have the solutions for the same,” said K N Marzook, chairman, Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
"KCCI has proposed to construct an open air auditorium for the Corporation on the condition of availability of land in the vicinity of the Goshree Bridge near the extended Marine Drive. It has also proposed to build a permanent exhibition centre in the city. If entrusted, KCCI shall also undertake the maintenance of the Town Hall as well as the Subash Chandra Bose Park. All these will ensure that the leisure component of Kochi goes up,” added Marzook.
Good roads and parking facilities also figure in the priority list of the community.
“The main reason behind the pathetic condition of the city’s roads is that the potholes are neglected and allowed to grow. A road repairing unit, like the ones that exist abroad, solves the problem by patching the small potholes as soon as they appear. This will not only help in reducing the maintenance cost of our roads but will also boost our infrastructure. Another aspect that needs immediate attention is the lack of parking facility in the city. Multi-level parking facilities, wherever space permits, will solve this issue,” said Venkatesh Pai, president, Kerala Merchants’ Union (KMU).
“The most common reason given by the Corporation for the non-implementation of developmental projects is the dearth of funds. This issue can be sorted out if the Corporation collects its tax arrears on a war-footing,” he added.

[Malayaali]

Government blocks new office for city police commissioner

I thought this project is already progressing.
This is the render of the proposed new City Police Commissionerate.

The city police are trying hard to crack this case. Fifteen months after the commissioner's office at the High Court Junction was pulled down, the cops are clueless when the new one would come up.

The Kerala Police Housing and Construction Corporation had big plans. It wanted to build a new office for the police commissioner in a 12-floor hi-tech building with a shopping mall.

Now the state government has refused to grant permission for the project. The government has refused to hand over the documents of the plot to the Kerala Police Housing and Construction Corporation for availing loan to carry out the construction.

"The government is against taking loan to construct a new building. The Kerala Police Housing and Construction Corporation wanted to build office spaces and shopping areas that would be rented out to private parties," said a source at the home department.

The new building was to be constructed at a cost of Rs 25 crore, with state-of-the-art facilities. Ever since the old building, situated near the high court, was demolished in 2010 for constructing a new one, the office has been operating in a rented space at Revenue Towers in Kochi.

City police commissioner M R Ajith Kumar said they have been frequently apprising the government of the necessity to construct the new office. "We hope that the government will take a positive call soon," he said.

[mohammedirshad06]

It seems Venugopal is taking strong action against sale of Manapattiparambu to real estate company on BOT basis.... It seems a good action

[Malayaali]

Bids on fancy number fetch Rs 11.69 lakh for DTO

Rich getting fancier over fancy numbers. Lots of new luxury wheels in town.

KOCHI: The demand for fancy numbers for vehicles is on the rise. An auction of fancy numbers held at the District Transport Office (DTO) saw many bidders on Monday. “There is seldom an auction for fancy numbers which does not attract bidders. There were 25 numbers on auction and the department got Rs Rs 11.69 lakh by the end of the day,” said T J Thomas, District Regional Transport Officer.

The most in-demand number ‘01’ earned the highest bid this time too. P P Fayaz, a businessman bid Rs 3.35 lakh for KL 07 BU 01, which he intends to have on his Range Rover. The reserve price for the number was set at Rs 1 lakh. The second highest bidder paid Rs 3.10 lakh for KL 07 BU 07 to put on a Rolls-Royce.
The reserve price for the number was Rs 25,000. The third highest bid was for KL 07 BU 77.

[players]

Originally Posted by bijugp

You seem to read well and have good general knowledge!!
Please check when did the preparatory works for Kochi Metro started.. Then come and write here..

Please let us all know what prepatory work for Kochi Metro was done by LDF govt? Let me remind, we dont want to know about announcements and claims and budget promises by LDF govt.. we only want to know about what was done on the ground!!!!

after you have something to show that was achieved by the LDF govt ON THE GROUND, we will take your post more seriously

Originally Posted by bijugp

Also, you may be traveling in ferrari to not to understand the benefits of introducing Thiru-kochi buses. Poor people like us benefitted a lot. UDF will not support Thiru-kochi because kalamassery kunju has an interest in the "red killers" of Kochi.

I don't travel in Ferrari, but have been a patron of the red colored private buses of Kochi for 35 years. So, please withdraw your absurd statement

If the LDF govt wanted to do something for the people of Kochi, they could have tried to tackle the water shortage problem, poor roads problem, lack of ROBs, mosquito problem, solid waste treatment problem, etc. etc....

Having done nothing on the above fronts, the leftists here are proudly celebrating the Thiru Kochi buses introduced by the LDF govt.. what a joke...

[bijugp]

Originally Posted by players

Please let us all know what prepatory work for Kochi Metro was done by LDF govt? Let me remind, we dont want to know about announcements and claims and budget promises by LDF govt.. we only want to know about what was done on the ground!!!!

after you have something to show that was achieved by the LDF govt ON THE GROUND, we will take your post more seriously




I don't travel in Ferrari, but have been a patron of the red colored private buses of Kochi for 35 years. So, please withdraw your absurd statement

If the LDF govt wanted to do something for the people of Kochi, they could have tried to tackle the water shortage problem, poor roads problem, lack of ROBs, mosquito problem, solid waste treatment problem, etc. etc....

Having done nothing on the above fronts, the leftists here are proudly celebrating the Thiru Kochi buses introduced by the LDF govt.. what a joke...

Thank you for enlightening me. LDF Government didn't do anything. I just realized that when I read your post... Three cheers to Red buses. Their flash strikes are a blessing to Kochi. I just didn't understand the usage of "We" in your posts. Some gang? Anyway, I can't think of anything to show what LDF govt did on the ground. They did everything in sky. So, I know the gang will not take my post seriously. So sad. Anyway I am so depressed and leaving.

[players]

Originally Posted by bijugp

Three cheers to Red buses. Their flash strikes are a blessing to Kochi.

Are you arguing that the LDF govt started Thiru Kochi buses to mitigate the flash strikes by private buses? That is an interesting argument, considering the vast majority of strikes, hartals in Kerala are called and forced on the people by Leftist unions..

And what if the Thiru Kochi bus drivers and conductors go on strike (called by a Leftist union)? I am sure we can expect one in a few months time, now that the UDF govt is in power

Originally Posted by bijugp

I just didn't understand the usage of "We" in your posts. Some gang? Anyway, I can't think of anything to show what LDF govt did on the ground. They did everything in sky.

By "we" I meant all people who read the SSC forum on Kochi. Sorry to disappoint you, but I am not part of any gang

[mohammedirshad06]

Okay guys,

It was good to see for and against arguments. Since its a matter of a political allegiance, every one their own interests and attitudes, which never syncs each other. Rather it would get worser and worser on a debate.

I would humbly propose, why not we stop this discussion and move ahead for other matters.....

Requesting your co-operation dear friends, to keep the peace and tranquility of Kochi SSC, while keeping the highest standards of forum decorum.

[players]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

Okay guys,

It was good to see for and against arguments. Since its a matter of a political allegiance, every one their own interests and attitudes, which never syncs each other. Rather it would get worser and worser on a debate.

I would humbly propose, why not we stop this discussion and move ahead for other matters.....

Requesting your co-operation dear friends, to keep the peace and tranquility of Kochi SSC, while keeping the highest standards of forum decorum.

Sorry MI.. I don't know about others, but I was not arguing out of political allegiance...

I have consistently been talking only about what has been achieved on the ground.. In the process I have been tearing apart the arguments of some others which were not based on what was achieved on the ground...

Dont worry, If the UDF govt doesnt achieve anything on the ground, I will kick their behind without showing any mercy either

Anyways, from my side, I will stop this debate here.

[vu3nnn]

Leaving aside all announcements, preparations, master plans, approvals and all other paraphernalia, an objective assessment of what took place in the ground during the previous 5 years of LDF rule and the last one year of UDF rule are as follows:

LDF

Vallarpadom Terminal
Vytilla Mobility Hub
Container Road
Thiru Kochi Busses (this has indeed stopped the practice of red killers holding the city to ransom) & JNURM Busses (the credit is for not entrusting these busses with the Corporation. KSRTC is not a picture of efficiency but one can only imagine what would have happened if M/s Mercy and Chammany got their hands on these busses)
Pulleppady ROB


UDF
Ponnuruni, Saleem-Rajan & North ROBs
Babu Bridge of Tripunithura


Regarding roads, I would not give credit to UDF alone. The KSUDP funded development of Banerjee Road and Sahodaran Ayyapan Road started when LDF was in power and completed after UDF took over. True, UDF repaired and gave a face lift to many roads as part of the metro preparatory works, but it should be noted that most of these roads were in reasonable good shape towards the end of the LDF regime and had started deteriorating only when M/s Chandy & Chammany came into power. The Chittoor Road and Paramara Road are good examples of what I am saying..... and both of them failed to deliver on their promise of Pulleppady - Thammanam Road (LDF had promised to complete works in 6 months during the time the bridge was inaugurated and UDF had made a similar promise when they came to power)

Again, both the fronts had double standards on matters of toll. The LDF has always been against toll but went on to impose toll on the Pulleppady ROB. The UDF opposed this bitterly and made this an election issue, but has not removed the toll, and is now going to impose toll on the Edapally ROB as well!


Of course, a proper evaluation would be possible only after another four years, when we can evaluate if UDF walks the talk, especially with regards to Smart City and Metro. Maybe in another one year, depending on how the Metro and Smart City progresses, we will have a definite idea on whether the UDF really means business or is simply fooling the people.

[players]

Originally Posted by vu3nnn

Leaving aside all announcements, preparations, master plans, approvals and all other paraphernalia, an objective assessment of what took place in the ground during the previous 5 years of LDF rule and the last one year of UDF rule are as follows:

LDF

Vallarpadom Terminal
Vytilla Mobility Hub
Container Road
Thiru Kochi Busses (this has indeed stopped the practice of red killers holding the city to ransom) & JNURM Busses (the credit is for not entrusting these busses with the Corporation. KSRTC is not a picture of efficiency but one can only imagine what would have happened if M/s Mercy and Chammany got their hands on these busses)
Pulleppady ROB

To put some false arguments to rest...

Vallarpadom terminal ----> Delivered by Central Govt..

VMH ---> Delivered by LDF state govt

Container Road ---> Is a National Highway ----> Delivered by Central Govt... Only the land acquisition for this was done by state govt, however with complete funding from Central Govt

Thiru Kochi buses ----> Delivered by LDF State govt with I believe most of the funds coming from JNNURM funds from Centre (don't think they will have much impact in reducing strikes by Private buses, since 90% of public bus transport is still carried by Private buses... just wait and see...)

Pullepady ROB ---> Only the railway portion was needed to be completed.. this was delivered by Central Govt after the 2009 lok sabha elections when Kerala elected mostly UDF MPs to replace the LDF MPs of the previous term... and E. Ahmed become Railway minister of State....

@v3unn,
I think your arguments are not as objective as you think... Essentially, the 3 achievements of LDF over 5 years are VMH, Atulya (Infopark) and Thiru Kochi buses (if this is worthy of considering an achievement)...

Cheers!

[sree_ec]

Notorious hacker group Anonymous has previously stated its intentions to shutdown the Internet on Saturday, March 31st, as a form of protest. “To protest SOPA, Wallstreet, our irresponsible leaders and the beloved bankers who are starving the world for their own selfish needs out of sheer sadistic fun, on March 31, anonymous will shut the Internet down,” the group stated last month. “Remember, this is a protest, we are not trying to ‘kill’ the Internet we are only temporarily shutting it down where it hurts the most.” Operation Global Blackout 2012 looks to shut down the Internet by disabling its core DNS servers, thus making websites inaccessible. Cyber security experts claim that it is unlikely that such an attack would be effective, however, and there is really no need to fear. Read on for more.

“The Anonymous hackers can certain cause local pockets of disruption, but these disruptions are going to be localized to networks where their attack machines are located, or where their ‘reflectors’ are located”, said Robert Graham of Errata Security. “It’s unlikely they could take all of them down, at least for any period of time. On the day of their planned Global Blackout, it’s doubtful many people would notice.”

Graham does issue a cautionary note, however. “Just because I say Anonymous can’t do it doesn’t it mean it can’t be done,” the security expert said on Errata’s blog.

Be aware if your internet does not work tomorrow. JFYI

[vu3nnn]

To put some false arguments to rest...

Vallarpadom terminal ----> Delivered by Central Govt..

***

Container Road ---> Is a National Highway ----> Delivered by Central Govt... Only the land acquisition for this was done by state govt, however with complete funding from Central Govt

So?

What I said was "what took place in the ground during the previous 5 years of LDF rule" which may or may not necessarily be credited as achievements of the LDF government.

Again, the central govt might be the execution agency but do you think it is possible to execute any project without the support & co-operation of the state government? For example, if the state government had simply decided to go slow on LA for the road and rail, would the project have been fulfilled? (of course, they made a mess of Moolampally, but that's another issue.) Similarly, KSEB could have dragged its feet for power, delaying the project indefinitely......

VMH ---> Delivered by LDF state govt

At least you accept this

Thiru Kochi buses ----> Delivered by LDF State govt with I believe most of the funds coming from JNNURM funds from Centre (don't think they will have much impact in reducing strikes by Private buses, since 90% of public bus transport is still carried by Private buses... just wait and see...)

wait for what? .... strikes by private busses have already reduced significantly in the last 2 years.

and yes, now 90% of the routes are back with the red killers. This is when ideally when any government that gives priority to the welfare of the common citizens rather than to the interests of the "red killer" mafia should have made KSRTC/govt busses and private busses about 50% each, to prevent monopoly by any one group. The LDF started the process, but the UDF is now reversing the process..... and if you think I am making false arguments here, go and read the back issues of Malayalam Manorama itself...

and by the way, JNURM busses are with central funds, but Thiru Kochi busses are KSRTC busses with a brand name..... now who is brandishing false arguments?

Pullepady ROB ---> Only the railway portion was needed to be completed.. this was delivered by Central Govt after the 2009 lok sabha elections when Kerala elected mostly UDF MPs to replace the LDF MPs of the previous term... and E. Ahmed become Railway minister of State....

even before 2009, Congress/UPA was ruling the center. So do you mean to say that the Congress govt in the center will deny even the most basic of development projects to states/cities that happen to elect opposition MPs?

With supporters like you, the UDF/Congress does not need any enemies.

@v3unn,
I think your arguments are not as objective as you think... Essentially, the 3 achievements of LDF over 5 years are VMH, Atulya (Infopark) and Thiru Kochi buses (if this is worthy of considering an achievement)...

whoever you are, your agenda is very much evident from your posts...... especially since Thiru Kochi busses seems to be touching a raw nerve. Just about every one in the city has acknowledged its utility, but for some reason you remain oblivious to it.

The future is yet to come. If you say Thiru Kochi busses will go on strike, by the same logic I can say metro drivers/operators will also go on strike. Can you deny that the introduction of Thiru Kochi busses has till now put an end to the frequent strikes that the "red killers' subjected the city to on a frequent basis?